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Ashwin And CSK Set To Part Ways Ahead Of IPL 2026 Auction
Follow UsThe 38-year-old had a poor IPL 2025, managing just seven wickets at an average of 40.42 and an economy rate above 9
Former Indian offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin has reportedly asked Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to release him ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, according to a Cricbuzz report on August 8 (Friday).
Ashwin began his IPL career with CSK in 2009, becoming an integral part of their early successes before moving to Rising Pune Supergiant (2016-17), Punjab Kings (PBKS, 2018-19), Delhi Capitals (DC, 2020-21) and Rajasthan Royals (RR, 2022-24). He made his much-anticipated return to the Super Kings in IPL 2025.
However, the comeback did not go as planned. The 38-year-old endured a poor season, managing just seven wickets at an average of 40.42 and an economy rate above 9. With the bat, he contributed only 33 runs at an average of 8.25. His struggles eventually led to him being dropped from the playing XI.
“The exact reason for the inevitable separation is immediately not clear but the veteran offspinner is believed to have made up his mind and is understood to have conveyed this to the franchise,” wrote Vijay Tagore in his Cricbuzz report.
“In what seems like an inevitable step, the veteran spinner is likely to give up his role as the Director of Operations at the CSK Academy — a position he has held for the past year. If he were to join another franchise, continuing in the CSK role could present a situation of a conflict of interest, something he is, it is learnt, keen to avoid."
Across his IPL career, Ashwin has featured in 221 matches, taking 187 wickets at an average of 30.22 and an economy rate of 7.2. With the bat, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder has scored 833 runs at a strike rate close to 120.
This development comes just a day after Sanju Samson reportedly asked the Rajasthan Royals to release or trade him ahead of the next season. Speculation is already swirling that CSK, eager to bounce back from a dismal 2025 campaign, are keen on bringing Samson into their ranks.
Earlier this year, CSK endured their worst-ever IPL season, finishing bottom of the points table for the first time in the franchise’s history. Several CSK senior officials, including MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad, are currently in Chennai working on plans for a turnaround in 2026.